The thoughts and perceptions of an aspiring writer on life and the world around her

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Musical – “Just Around the River Bend”

As they go down the Stricken Stream in a collapsing toboggan, the Baudelaires are unsure of what to do next since they have no idea where they’re going. Violet wants to slow down the sled but Klaus doesn’t think it’s a good idea since it might cause them to fall into the water. As they travel down the river, they go through the Hinterlands which seems burned to a crisp thanks to the fire at the Caligari Carnival which Violet and Klaus started. Granted, Count Olaf basically forced them to, but they still feel kind of bad about it, since it’s already spread quite extensively. But just as they’re in danger of falling into the water, a metal submarine with a V.F.D. eye as their only means of salvation. Of course, the Baudelaires are going in since they just want to live.

For this part, I decided to go with “Just Around the River Bend” from Pocahontas. In the original version, Pocahontas is singing about being at the crossroads of her life. Should she marry the best warrior of the tribe Kocoum and settle down or just see what happens? Though she sings with an air of anticipation, I don’t think it’s the case with the Baudelaires since their just around the river bend moment pertains to what’s the best survival strategy.

“Just around the River Bend” (ASOUE Version)

Sung by Violet and Klaus Baudelaire

Violet:
Don’t know how to slow down this sled
As we float down Stricken Stream
The water’s always changing, always flowing

Klaus:
Perhaps it’s best you might refrain
We do not want to freeze
Though I still don’t know where we are going

What’s around the river bend
Floating just around the river bend

I look once more just around the river bend
And we don’t know where we’d go by stream
So just sit tight and see where the stream will take us
Just around the river bend, going to see

Violet:
Apparently, the Hinterlands
Has recently gone up in flames
Things have only gotten worse since Caligari

Count Olaf forced us to burn the place but all too wrong the same
And yet, I still keep wondering about my Quigley

Just around the river bend
Just around the river bend

I look once more just around the river bend
Beyond the shore somewhere past the sea
Maybe we can steer the sled with its own runners
Just around the river bend, just around the river bend

Shit, the bread knife is long gone
Look I see a periscope? Think we see a sub below
Should we make ourselves at home?
Or should we just take our chances, Klaus,
Just around the river bend?